Access to Department online services and Department owned devices is provided to assist the Department in achieving its goals. The Department expects employees to use these resources in an ethical, legal, appropriate and acceptable manner.

The policy outlines the responsibilities of all employees relating to alcohol and other drugs in Department schools and workplaces and is underpinned by the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 and related staff and student duty of care obligations.

Some secondary students in agricultural education programs drive vehicles and machinery on school property. These procedures are used for the management and supervision of student drivers.

Information and communication technologies are provided by the Department to enable employees and authorised third parties to satisfactorily perform their duties. It is recognised that the associated information, physical equipment, infrastructure and software is at risk of accidental or intentional loss, unauthorised manipulation or unauthorised disclosure. This policy authorises security controls to address those risks.

A Disabilities Advisory Panel advises the Director-General on educational provision for students with disabilities and/or comment on whether an exclusion order is warranted for a disruptive student with a disability.

School visits/study tours by overseas students are undertaken for the purpose of meeting Australian students, teachers and other professional educators as part of educational and cultural programs.

All Department of Education employees must only use software products in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated by the software license. Workplace managers must ensure that procedures are in place to manage record keeping, procurement, registration, installation, management, transfer and disposal of software licenses for those software products used within the workplace.

This policy assists staff to respond appropriately where there is a concern for a child’s wellbeing or a disclosure of abuse.